BLOUNTVILLE, Tn. — For a little more than a year, participants in the Northeast Tennessee Regional Recovery Court Program have been pushing toward graduation. Working through mental health services, finding jobs and now, they can officially call themselves graduates of the program.

Piper Webster is part of the first all-female graduating class, one of 20 participants in both the inpatient and outpatient programs.

“It’s single-handedly the most important thing I’ve done for myself,” Webster said,

The ceremony was attended by state and local representatives who have worked to create the program since its inception, including Governor Bill Lee who presented degrees.

“I remember when this was just an idea and seeing people’s likes transform, seeing redemption come to life in the lives of those who struggled and now turned their lives around. It’s powerful,” Lee said.

The program that gave ex-addicts a second chance was organized by local judges, including Judges Rice and Goodwin.

“It’s just wonderful to see the success of men and women who have overcome addictions are working and providing for their families by purchasing vehicles,” Rice said.

“What I’m really excited to see is to see them reunite with their kids, reunite with their families and be productive,” Goodwin said.

For Piper Webster, recovery isn’t just about overcoming an addiction.

“I just wanted to feel good about myself. That’s been my main goal is to be able to feel confident that I’m self-reliant and really find my own identity and who I am,” Webster said.

For Piper, healing herself is only the beginning.

“I’m really interested and looking forward to getting into the recovery community and really enjoying building that network. We are really like the foundation of this program. We are the first graduates and the women who come behind me I want to be able to be a little hope and inspiration,” she said.